Fabric drying and shaping apparatus and method



APl'l 5# 1943- F. Y. KrrzMlLLER 2,316,001

` FABRIC DRYING AND SHAPING APPARATUS AND IMETHOI) Filed Aug. 2e, 1940 j 4 sheets-shea 1 ll I I* INVENTOR.

ni y/Hzm//e/f ATTORNEY.

April 6 1943- r- Y. KrrzMlLLER 2,316,001

FABRIC DRYING AND SHAPING APPARATUS AND METHOD ATTORNEY.

April 6, 14943- F. Y. KrrzMlLLER A 2,316,001

FABRIC DRYING AND SHAPING APPARATUS AND METHOD FilledA Aug. 26, 1940 4 ShetS-Sheet 3 r l \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\v /lz /4 rll/llI/IA lll, I//ll//// INVENIOR.

ATTORNEY.

F. Y. Kl'rzMlLLER FABRIC DRYING AND SHAPING APPARATUS AND HETQD April-6,' 1943.

Fi1ed Aug. 26, 1s4o ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 6, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FABRIC DRYING AND SHAPING APPARATUS AND METHOD Frank Y. Kitzmiller, Reading, Pa.

Application August 26, 1940, Serial No. 354,152

9 Claims. (Cl. 22S-76)' My invention relates to methods of, and means for, drying and shaping fabric articles, and particularly to methods and means employed in drying textile fabric articles on forms, as in the production of hosiery.

This application is a continuation, in part, of my copending applications, Serial Nos. 180,863 and 180,864, both led December 20, 1937, and each entitled Machines for drying and shaping hosiery.

In the manufacture of fabric articles, such as stockings, on an economical, high production basis, no operation shouldjbe of extraordinary cost, or consume too much time, as has been the case in formerly drying hosiery on interiorly heated forms. i

Effecting such drying on individual or single forms is extremely costly, as have'been all attempts prior to my invention, so far as I am aware, to utilize a plurality of forms that are parts of one machine or apparatus, and that are moved successively with the articles into,` and through, a drying chamber, and out of the chamber for removal of the articles from the forms.

Although machines of this type have been suggested, the only one known to me tohave been commercially employed is substantially prohobitive in cost for general use, such machine costing almost seven times as much as the apparatus of my invention.

`Such cost results from many adverse factors, such as failure to provide direct communication between a stationary heating-medium source or supply line and each movable form individually, whereby excess material and energy are required and loss sustained; the emission of proper and effective drainage for moisture of condensation in cases where such condensation forms; the inability to properly utilize the principle of superheating the air surrounding the articles on the forms and directing it back against the forms while the latter are in motion; the lack of such balance and effective arrangement of the moving elements as to require the parts to be excessive in number and weight; the improper spacing and angular positioning of the forms whereby placing and removing the articles are rendered troublesome; the arrangement of the parts rendering them diicult to assemble, repair, replace, and to remain in effective cooperation with each other; the selection of materials employed whereby faults occur from this cause; and the presence of the above and other features, which severally and in combination have precluded the production of effective, durable, economical apparatus. Y

Hosiery articles are of various sizes, such as full length and half hose, and are of various fabric Weights, from delicate light weight two and three thread knitted silk fabrics to relatively heavy fabrics, such as Terry cloth.

As a result of this fact, in a drying and shaping machine having movable forms, the rate of movement of the forms should be according to the Weight of the fabric within the range allowing for effectively placing the articles on, and removing them from, the forms, and the `amount of heat supplied should also be adjustable.

A casing for a relatively large machine should beconstructed from lthe various considerations of effective cooperation lwith the other parts, be as light in weight as possible, consistent with stability, be constructed for ready shipment and assembly, be of easy repair, and have `other features, such as conducing to economy, neatness of appearance, and access to the apparatus enclosed thereby. i l

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a method of, and means for, directing a form heating medium or fluid individually to eachY of a plurality of moving forms from a source or distributor common thereto, and where desired and depending upon the medium employed,to return the same to a collector that is also common to the movable forms, whereby to conservan-nd prevent loss of, energy or heat, to reduce the number, complexity and weight of the parts, to lower the cost of the apparatus, to render the method` and apparatus more effective .than former methods and apparatus, and to cause the invention tobe an improvement generally in its field.

Another object of the invention is, in a method and apparatus of the above-indicated character wherein the forms are moved during drying and forming, to provide effective means4 for superheating the air of a drying chamber, through which the forms travel, and to maintain predetermined control. over the direction and mannerof flow of the superheated air, and of the points of its application to the fabrics.

Another object of the invention is, in apparatus Aemploying a fluid, such as steam, and having a system or means for transmitting the fluid from a central source to the movable forms, and frr disposing of the fluid residue, after use, as in returning it to a collector, to so render such means capable of draining the moisture of condensation from the system as to render the apparatus very much more effective, and to reduce the number, cost and weight of the parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide casing means of light weight consistent with stability, few parts of ready stacking or packing for shipment, ready assembly and repair, compactness and neatness of appearance, ready access to enclosed parts, and effective operation, and to provide baiile means of like character for the interior of the casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide drying and forming apparatus of simple and durable construction, economical manufacture, and effective operation.

With such objects in View, as well as other advantages which may be incident to a utilization of the improvements, the invention comprises the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter set forth in the drawings, specification and claims, with the understanding that the several' necessary elements constituting the same maybe varied in Y proportion, arrangement and texture, without departing from the nature and scope of the invention.

In order to maireV the invention more clearly understood, means are shown in the accompanying drawings for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in the useful applications thereof to ther particular constructions, which for the purpose of explanation are `made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings.:

Figure 1 is a view, in front elevation, of apparatus constructed in accordance with the eX- ample of the invention given;

Fig. 2 is a view, taken inthe direction of Fig. 1,

' generally in about the vertical central plane section of the apparatus thereof, but having element-s closer to the observer than such plane, certain parts being omitted, and lothers broken away;

Fig. 3 is a view, generally in top plan, of the device of Figs. 1 and 2, parts also being broken away and omitted;

Fig. 4 is aV detail View, on an enlarged scale,

'taken generally along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3,

illustrating a superheater embodied in one form of the'invention;

Fig. 5 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, taken generally along the line 5 5 of Fig. 3, of one of a plurality of arms for attachment to a distributor, and for supporting a hosiery form, only a portion of which form is shown in this figure, and portions being broken away to show conduits therein;

Fig. 6 is a View, taken substantially along the line 5 6 of Fig. '7, andalso constituting a greatly enlarged view of structure, somewhat as viewed at ther lower central portion of Fig. 2, but showing elements more in detail, and including elements omitted in Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is generally a top plan view of the structure 0f Fig. 6, parts being broken away, and parts being omitted; and

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view, taken substantially along the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus comprises, in general, a stationary superstructure S, a casing C enclosing the superstructure Si, a Inovable structure or carriage M on the structure S, a drive mechanism D for the carriage M, a form heat control structure G, a form arm and form structure N on the carriage M, and superheater means H.

The superstructure The main stationary support or superstructure S, see particularly Figs. 2, 6 and 7, comprises a form i5 which, as shown, is of rectangular thin plate form having a depending perimetral ange, and disposed Vabove a floor I5 on which it is mounted, as by leg members Il joined by side braces 20. y

The table top l5 is provided with an upright tubular main stationary bearing portion I8 and bosses I9, and supports brackets 23, and a motor mounting 24, for purposes to be set forth.

A generally rectangular metal framework F is mounted on the table I5, and comprises upper and lower horizontal channel beams 2l and 22, respectively, and upright side channel beams 25 joined to the horizontal beams, as through gusset plates 25. The upper horizontal beam 2l is a single continuous beam, and the beam 22 is in two lengths projecting from the table top i5.

Channel beams 2, Fig. 2, extend at angles to the floor It, each connected to one of the leg members Il, at one end, and to one of the upright, channel beams 25, at the other end.

Elements 3S, as shown in Fig. 2, connecty the casing C to the top of ythe superstructure S, and light channel beam structures 3l extend downwardly and forwardly from the central upper beam 2| to the rear side of the front panel of the casing C for bracing the latter.

In the superstructure S, it is to be noted that parts on the table I5, although of considerable lateral expanse, are mounted on this comparatively small central support, thereby greatly facilitating assembly, and rendering it unnecessary to lay out or provide widely spaced anchorages or otherelements on the floor I6.

The casing rlhe casing C, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3, is

vof the knockdown type, constructed chiefly of thin flat metalsheet elements or panels, including a set of four like'panels 32, a pair of like panels 35, and a single forward panel 36 in the top or cover, and a set of four like panels 3l, a pair of like panels lil and lll and a single front panel 42 in the side wall, which rests on the oor I6, each of these panels having edge iianges 45 by which it is connected, as by screws or other means, to the adjacent edge anges of the next panels.

The casing, although made up of ilat panel sides, and of polygonal horizontal cross sectional contour, conforms, in general, to the annular path of movement of a series cf forms to be hereinafter set forth.

In the casing, a group of baiile plates or partitions P has the baffles arranged generally parallel to the polygonal side panels of the casing to therewith provide a passageway 46 from a front entrance 5B, about the baffles, to a front exit 5| in the panel 62. About midway between the entrance 56 and the exit 5l, in the aforementioned passageway at the rear of the casing,

a pair of baiiies 5| of the group P have adjacent relatively small central metal table top or plat- 75 edges spaced from each other to provide a passageway 52 from the passageway it to a space 55 within, or encompassed by, the'baiiie groupP.

The front panel 42 supports a mirror 5S, and has a horizontal apron 5l, and small baiiies 6l] partly closing the entrance and the exit 5|. The baflies Ei@ allo-w space for the passage of the leg portions of the forms, and are cut away or sloped at the tops to clear the outwardly protruding upper end foot portions of each form, whereby to reduce the areas of the entrance and exit, and to prevent undue escape of heat from the casing.

A section 6| bows outwardly from the front panel 42 to encompass the forms at the bases thereof, and is provided, at its front side, with a layoff table R. The latter has legs 65, a compartment 61 for wet stockings for placing on the forms, and a platform 10 for dry stockings taken from the forms. A door 1|, having a handle 12, hinges 15, and an aperture 16, is provided in the front panel under the layoff table R for providing access to parts in the lower central part of the casing.

' The carriage The movable structure or carriage M, as seen in Figs. 2, 3, 6 and '7, comprises a turntable 80 of metal, such as aluminum, an-d of annular form having a depending central hollow cylindrical bearing portion 8| mounted on an antiriction or ball thrust bearing 82 in the top of the stationary bearing |8. The table 80 also has a depending outer peripheral flange 85, which rides on rollers 86 carried by plungers 81 that are vertically adjustably supported in portions 90 of the brackets 23, as by screws 9| at each corner of the stationary table I5.

The drive mechanism also carries a worm gear 4wheel |06 inside the housing 91. The latter has a bottom portion |01 fixed to the bosses |9.

The worm gear wheel |06 engages a worm screw in the housing 91 on a shaft I2 which, as better seen in Fig. '7, carries a pulley ||5 that is connected, by a belt 6, to a speed-change pulley ||1 on a shaft |20 of a motor |2|. The latter is slidably mounted on the motor mounting 24 for adjustment of the speed of the pulley ||1 by a screw |22 having a handle |25, which is accessible through the opening 16 in the front door 1| of the casing C. The motor4 |2| is controlled by a foot switch |26 under the layoff table R, as indicated in Fig. 1.

The form heat control structure The form heat control structure G comprises a drum E, as of cast aluminum, secured, as by screws |30, to the top of the turntable 80, and provided with a cylindrical or band-like outer peripheral wall |3|, upper and lower end closure walls |32 and |33, respectively, and an intermediate wall |35 sloping inwardly and downwardly from the peripheral wall |3|, and provided with a small central drain aperture |36. The walls |32, |35 and |33 are joined inwardly of the drum perimeter by bosses |38.

Va member |42 for compressing the elements' |4I,

and a nut |45 for adjusting the member |42.

The bottom wall |33 has an outlet portion |46 communicating with, and fixed to, a'tube |41 that extends through the movable andstationary bearing portions 8| and I8, respectively, and through a packing device J below the stationary table top |5. y

The device J comprises a stationary member secured to the table top l5, packing elements 15|, a member |52 for holding the elements |5| from the bottom. a member for compressing the elements |5| from the top, and a nut |54 for adjusting the member |55.

A tubular T-connector |56 provides communication from the tube |41, through a thermocouple tube |51, a strainer |60 and a trap |6|, to a drain line |54 that is adapted, as by connection to a vacuum pump, to draw the heatingmedium fluid through the apparatus.

The T-connector |56 also connects to pipelines |62 and |63, from superheater means to be set forth, or an elbow may be employed to connect the tube |41 to the thermo-couple tube |51 and the trap |6|, and the lines |62 and |63 be connected directly to the drain line |64.

fThe thermo-couple tube |51 is connected, by conductors in a flexible conduit |65, to a thermometer T on the panel 4|, as indicatedin Figs. 1 and 3.

A tube |66, secured to the movable bearing portion 6| therein, as by a set screw |61, occupies a substantial length of each of the bearing portions 8| and IB to provide vertical bearing surface and to lend lateral rigidity to the structure having small horizontal or thrust bearing area in the bearing 82.

The form arm and form structure The form arm andform structure N comprises, in this instance, eighteen arms |10, each having a form |1| thereon, and arranged equidistantly in annular spaced series relation to each other about the drum E.

The latter therefore, constitutes substantially a hub or hub-like element of a structure of spider formation, of which the arms |10 and the forms |1| constitute the legs or arms.A

Small rectangular panel or block-like lower end bases |12 on the forms |1| are secured, as by screws |14, to similar bases |13 at the outer ends of the arms.

All of the blocks |12 are indicated in Fig. 3y with only five each of the arms and forms shown in full outline in this figure, two of the arms indicated in Fig. 2, and only one `of the arms, which are identical, showing in detail in each of Figs. 5, 6, '7 and 8.v

As indicated in Fig. 6, the distributor K has outlet apertures |15 for the arms |10, only one of the latter being shown, and inlet apertures |16 from the arms |10.` The apertures |15 and |16, only two each of which are shown in Fig, 6, are arranged about the drum, one each for each arm.

The arm |10 is constructed of metal, such as aluminum, having metal tubes and |3|, as of "copper, cast therein, this feature not being gerthe invention hereof, in combination with other elements, such that the arm' body itself, or the tubes |80 and l8| therein, slope upwardly and l outwardly from the drum E to the arm bases |13 whereby the tubes are constituted not only as transmission means for the heating medium,

`such as steam, but as drain means for moisture of condensation in the arms and forms.

A's shown, eachV arm is of hollow section. for

strength, tapering from relatively large .cross section adjacent to the drum E., to smaller cross section adjacent to the base |13, having a, threepoint or three-screw attachment portion |82 for connection to the drum, with the tubesr 18D and |8| in register with the apertures |15 and H, respectively, and sealed, as by a gasket |85.

Near the drum E, the arm has flat-plane bottom side webs resting on the turntable 80, and apertured or slotted bosses |86 on the webs through which bolts |81 extend for adjustably securing the arm to the table. The tubes IBB and |8|, which are disposed one above the other, diverge laterally, as seen in Fig. '1, to positions of register with upright tube sections lll and |9|, respectively, in the form |1|.

The form |1| thereby constitutes substantially an extension of the arm |10, having attachment at only one end, namely the inner end, whereby either the form or the arm, or the form and the arm as a unit, may be dismounted, Without effecting any disconnections at the outer end of the unit, or disturbing the other arms or connections between the arms outwardly from the inner ends thereof.

The forms |1| shown are for receiving half hose, although forms for receiving full length hose, and hosiery of various shapes may be substituted therefor.

The tube sections |90 and |95 are joined at the upper ends I3@ thereof, thereby, with the tubes li and ISI, forming a closed loop, or individual path, for the heating medium, from the distributor K to the form, and back to the collector L, thus rendering this path of the shortest possible length, avoiding heating of unnecessary elements, conserving heat and energy, reducing the number, weight and cost of the parts, facilitat- .ing assembly and repair, and having other ad- |96, a valve |91, a horizontal pipe section Ziill,

and a vertical pipe section 20|, to the short tube |40 on the drum E.

Superheater means Although, as indicated above, the apparatus. as described so far, may be suiicient for drying and forming fabrics of certain weights, it is desirable, in drying certain heavier fabrics, to add to the structure set forth, to the extent of the superheater means H.

Such means, as better seen in Figs. l, 3 and 4, comprises, in this instance, two substantially identical units H disposed adjacent to the entrance 50 and the exit 5| on the panels liti and 4| respectively.

Each unit H comprises an open-sided box-like structure 225 secured in position inside the cas-- ing C in register with an opening in the panel lil or 4|, and surrounding a radiator structure V comprising upper and lower manifolds 266 and 261, respectively, connected by parallel tubes 2 i G, each surrounded by radiating fins 2| l.

The upper or inlet manifold 29B is connected, through a valve Z and a pipe 2|2 to a T-connector 2|i5 joining it to the horizontal main steam inlet tube 20 through another T-connector 2|6, and the lower or outlet manifold 201 of Jthe left hand superheater unit H is connected by a pipe 22?) to 'the conduit |2, While the lower or outlet manifold of the right hand unit H, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, is connected, as by a pipe 22|, to the conduit |63.

Each unit H further comprises a conduit 225 Vof relatively large diameter extending, from an open inner end 226 in the space 55 encompassed -by the baffles P, to an enclosed fan or blower device 221 operated by a motor 230 mounted on a bracket 229 and adapted for drawing the warm air from the space 55, as indicated by arrows A, and directing it, as indicated by arrows B, through a flared entrance box portion 228 and the radiator V against the forms |1| as they are moved successively past the superheater. A switch 233 may be mounted on the motor 236, or elsewhere, for controlling the motor circuit.

Radially inwardly of the forms, at a position oposite each blower 221, a barile 23| of the group P is provided `with a flat section 232 near the adjacent entrance or exit 56 or 5|, and a curved section 235 for delecting the draft of superheated air toward the rear of the casing, also indicated by the arrows B.

The valves 269 in the pipes 2|2, respectively, and the switches 233 in the circuits of the motors 230, may be operated to control the units H to operate severally,.together, or not at all.

At the top of the casing C, an opening 23|:` and a conduit 231 communicate from the interior of the casing through a blower 249 to a conduit 2M., The blower 2MB is operated by a motor 262, controlled iby a switch 245, to draw air from the casing, and exhaust it through vthe conduit 26|, when it becomes excessively moist, as indicated by a humidostat 226.

Operation In operation, :by turning the handle |25, and energizing the motor |2|, by pressing the foot switch |2, the speed of the pulley ||1 is adjusted in accordance with the stockings to be dried, and the amount of heat required to dry them.

Motion of the pulley ||1 is transmitted by the belt E6 to the pulley |15, and from the latter, through the shaft i2, to the worm screw IIB. The screw HS turns the gear wheel IDS, which motion is transmitted, through the shaft |02, to the pinion lili. Motion is continued from the latter through the gear wheel 92, thus rotating the turntable and the forms |1| at a speed gizaatly reduced from the speed of the motor shaft The main Valve |91, and the Valves 229 and switches 233 governing the superheater H are ad- Justed, depending upon the character of the stockings being dried, as to the amount of internal heat required for the forms, and as to whether one or both, or neither, of the superheaters H should be in operation, whereupomthe apparatus is set up for drying.

With the main valve |91 open, steam passes, from the main supply inlet |96, through the valve eer, and the pipes 2in, 2m and ist, to the distributor K, from which it passes, as indicated by arrows Y, through the outlets |15 to the tubes i3d. From the latter, the steam courses through the tubes and |9i, to heat the forms, and back through the tubes ll to the collector L, as indicated by arrows Z, from which it passes through the tube |21, the T-connector |56, the

thermo-couple tube |51, the strainer |60, and the trap ISI, to the drain pipe line A64, upon .which a vacuum is impressed to accelerate the iiuid action at the exit side of the machine.

With thesuperheaters H in operation, steam is drawn from the pipe 200 at the T-connector 2|6, and lpasses through the T-connector 2 I 5 and the pipes 2I2, to the radiators V, from which it descends, through the pipes 220 and 22|, to the T-connector |56 for draining and subjection to the vacuum effect, as above set forth.

With a. supply of wet stockings in the compartment 61, the operator stands at the front of the machine, and places these stockings successively on the forms, as the forms pass the mirror 56, the rate of motion of the forms being such that an experienced operator has plenty of time to mount each stocking effectively, glancing at the reflection of the rear side of the form in the mirror, if necessary.

The stockings, thus immediately subject to the internal heat of the forms, then pass through the entrance V5l]v into the passageway 45, where they are subjected to heat from the forms, the arms |10, the drum E and other parts.

With the superheaters H in operation, warm air is drawn from the space 55 and, as indicated by the arrows A in Figs. 1 and 3, passes outwardly through the conduits 225 to the blowers 221, by which it is impelled through the radiators V. Thus superheated, the air is forced against the passing forms and, as indicated by the arrows B, the superheated air which by-passes the forms, impinges against the curved baille sections or deflectors 235, by which it is directed along the passageway 45 to the rear of the casing, where it returns, through the passageway 52, to the space 55 from which the warm air was originally drawn.

By having the entrance 5|), and the exit 5|, as small as practicable, the deflectors 235 for directing the superheated air rearwardly, and by returning the air from the superheater to the space 55, heat is conserved and the speed of operation raised for heavy stockings, and similar conservation of heat is effected by the entrance, exit, casing and baiile elements for stockings of lighter weight.

The direct individual path feeding of the heating medium from the small central distributor to each form, is also a very effective conservator of the internal heat of the forms, as well as a feature enabling the parts to be reduced in number, weight and cost, and conduces to the production of a machine or apparatus that is very effective, and economical in manufacture, shipping, storing, assembly and operation.

The symmetrical repetition of parts, the iiatplane character of the panels and other elements of the casing and baiies, also enable this part of the structure to be packed in small bulk of light Weight for storing and shipping, and enable it to be set up, with a minimum of trouble and expense, for effective cooperation with the other elements.

I claim as my invention:

1. In textile fabric drying and shaping apparatus, a support, a form carrier rotatably mounted on said support comprising a hub-like fluid distributor, arms extending radially from said distributor, an annular series of forms disposed one on each of said arms and conduit means supported by each of said arms providing a fluid path from said distributor to the corresponding forms.

2. In textile fabric drying and shaping apparatus, a support, a distributor for a form-heating medium including a member movably mounted on said support, a plurality of arms projecting from said member, a hollow form mounted directly on each of said arms, and means carried by each cf said arms for directing said medium from said distributor through the corresponding form.

3. In textile fabric drying Aand shaping apparatus, a support, means for distributing and collecting a form-heating medium including means movably mounted on said support, a plurality of hollow arms carried by, and projecting from, said movable means each having a continuous extension of the arm length constituting a fabricreceiving` hollow form, and means for directing said medium from the distributorV into, and along, each of said arms into the corresponding form and from the latter along the same arm to the collector. Y

4. In textile fabric drying and shaping apparatus, a support, distributing and collecting means for a form-heating fluid rotatably mounted on said support, a plurality of arms extending radially from said support, a hollow for-m on each of said arms, and conduits carried by each of said arms connected from said distributing means into said forms and from the interior of said forms to said collecting means and constituted both as means for directing said uid and as means for causing moisture of condensation from said arms and forms to flow to said collecting means.

5. In textile fabric drying and shaping apparatus, a support, and a structure in the form of a spider having a hub-like body rotatably mounted on said support and including distributing and collecting means for a form-heating fluid, a plurality of hollow arms radially disposed symmetrically about said body and detachably connected to said body at the inner ends only whereby upon detachment only at said end each arm may be separated from the spider independently of each other arm, a plurality of hollow forms provided one for each arm detachably connected thereto constituting an extension of the outer end length thereof, and conduit means in the arms and forms providing an individual path along each of said arms for said fluid from said distributing means to the corresponding form and back to said collecting means.

6. In a textilefabric drying and shaping apparatus, a support, a form carrier rotatably mounted on said support comprising a hub-like structure constituting both distributing and Vcollecting means for a form-heating fluid, an annular series of fabric article receiving hollow forms of given number disposed radially outwardly from said hub-like structure in annular spaced series relation to each other, a plurality of hollow arms of corresponding number provided one for, and separate from, each of said forms constituting the sole supporting connection between its individual form and said hub-like structure, sealing means between each arm and form, and conduit means supported in the arms and forms for directing vsaid fluid individually along each of said arms from the distributing means through the corresponding form and back to` the coliecting means.

7. In textile fabric drying and shaping apparatus, a; support, a form carrier rotatably mounted on said support comprising a hub-like structure constituting both distributing and collecting means for a form-heating duid, said structure being in the form of a single vertical drum having a generally horizontal partition intermediate its top and bottom end closure walls dividing the drum into a top distributor chamber and a bottom collector chamber, said partition sloping slightly downwardly toward its center and. having a small drain opening from the upper to the lower chamber, a fluid inlet for the distributor chamber, a fluid outlet for the collector chamber, san annular' series of fabric article-receiving `(forms disposed radially outwardly from said hub in annular spaced series relation to each other, and conduit means for .directing said fluid from the distributor cham-ber through the forms and back to the collector chamber.

8. In a fabric forming dryer, a iiuid distributor and collector unit, a plurality of arms extending radiallyr from said unit each having a form support at its outer end and longitudinal side portions diverging from the unit parallel to corresponding side portions of adjacent arms at opposite sides thereof to a given position from which they continue and converge to said form support,

and conduit means in each arm and form provid- CSX ing a fluid path from the distributor through the arm into the form in which the path turns and extends from the form through the arm to the collector.

9. In textile fabric drying and shaping apparatus, a support, a form carrier rotatably mounted on said support comprising a hub-like structure constituting both distributingr and collecting means for a form-heating liuid, said structure being in the form of a single Vertical drum having a generally horizontal partition interme-Y 

